Just when you thought your vegan protein powder had the lowest carbon footprint, insect protein enters the room and reframes your thinking on what’s truly the most sustainable.
But not just any insect protein. We’re talking about cricket protein powder, and how this bug-based derivative could be an industry disruptor if brands can convince people to buy it.
It’s crazy to believe the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) could soon become a household protein powder. But given the benefits, crickets are a logical choice that’s hard to overlook.
Benefits of Cricket Protein Powder
Cricket protein powder is a revolutionizing concept that offers several benefits and accommodates the needs of different individuals. Some of the key benefits include:
- Quality protein content: Crickets are a complete protein offering a high concentration of essential amino acids, especially arginine, valine, and leucine, making cricket protein powder an excellent option for muscle recovery and growth.
- Sustainability: Crickets are a highly sustainable and environmentally friendly source of protein. They’re 20 times more resource-efficient than beef protein and produce 80 times less methane than cows. Cricket production requires significantly less land, water, and resources than other protein powder sources, including most plants.[1]
- Nutrient-rich: Cricket protein powder is rich in nutrients such as magnesium, iron, calcium, manganese, and especially vitamin B12.[2] It also provides a perfect ratio of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and contains prebiotic fiber from chitin, which promotes digestive health.[3]
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties: Research suggests that cricket protein powder may have potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to overall health benefits.[4]
- Smooth texture and mild taste: Reviews of cricket protein powder often highlight its smooth texture and mild, nutty taste, making it a versatile ingredient for various recipes.
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, and paleo: Cricket protein powder is an excellent option for those looking for gluten-free and dairy-free protein powder. Most cricket protein is also ketogenic and paleo diet-friendly.
It’s impossible to deny the benefits of cricket protein powder. But the challenge for mainstream adoption is convincing people to overlook the fact they’re eating a bug.
Most Americans view crickets as noisy, unattractive bugs or the food for their exotic pets. And yet, crickets are a staple food source in many parts of the world.
Cricket Protein Powder Worth Trying
If you’re looking to try cricket protein powder, here’s a handful of products that stand out in this category. These are a combination of pure cricket protein powders and crick plus plant protein powder.
Human Improvement Plant-Based Protein Powder with Cricket
One of the most creative protein powder blends is this one from Human Improvement. Available in a vanilla and chocolate flavor, it’s a plant and cricket blend that’s made from entirely organic cricket, pumpkin, brown rice, and pea protein.
Flavored with organic stevia and monk fruit extract, including other natural ingredients, it’s a sweet product that provides a delicious taste. It also has a bit of extra fiber and fat, providing a balanced macro and micronutrient profile.
Exo Acheta Protein Powder
Acheta (cricket) protein powder for Exo is a popular option for its purity. It’s made from crickets and crickets only, providing all the benefits and nothing unnecessary.
The naturally transparent taste of Exo Acheta is a welcomed feature. This cricket protein powder has a light cocoa and cashew flavor, that’s subtle and soft, blending well with a wide range of concoctions.
Mighty Cricket Protein Powder
Available in vanilla and chocolate flavors, Mighty Cricket Protein Powder is a blend of organic pea protein, organic rice protein, and cricket protein. This dynamic blend provides an abundant diversity of amino acids.
Mighty Cricket also contains natural flavorings, salt, and is sweetened with monk fruit. This simple and relatively clean protein powder provides a surprisingly great taste that’s well-reviewed by many.
Entomo Farms Organic Cricket Protein Powder
The cricket protein powder from Entomo Farms is 100% organic, Canadian-grown, roasted, and ground crickets, into a fine powder without any additives, fillers, or blended flours.
It’s well-reviewed for its slightly nutty to mostly flavorless taste. Entomo Farms Organic Cricket Protein Powder is a trusted option for quality and versatility in various recipes, including baked goods, smoothies, and soups.
How Much Protein is in a Cricket?
The composition of cricket is 60% to 70% protein by weight, and most types of crickets weigh between 0.2 and 0.8 grams (which isn’t much when you compare that to a paperclip that weighs about 1 gram).
Based on these metrics, we can assume the average cricket weighs about half a gram (0.5g), equating to one cricket having around 0.3g of protein, or about three crickets for every 1g of protein.
Reaching 20g of protein, as you would with a scoop of protein powder scoop, would require about 60 to 70 crickets. For cricket producers, like the Canadian company Entomo, which produces 50 million crickets per week, there’s tremendous capability to meet the future demand for cricket protein.
About The Author
This article was written by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health, nutrition, and athletic space. Over his lifetime, he’s tried hundreds of plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. Also, visit his website to learn more about what he’s up to.
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Scientific References
- Oonincx DGAB, van Itterbeeck J, Heetkamp MJW, van den Brand H, van Loon JJA, van Huis A (2010) An Exploration on Greenhouse Gas and Ammonia Production by Insect Species Suitable for Animal or Human Consumption. PLoS ONE 5(12): e14445. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014445
- Magara HJO, Niassy S, Ayieko MA, Mukundamago M, Egonyu JP, Tanga CM, Kimathi EK, Ongere JO, Fiaboe KKM, Hugel S, Orinda MA, Roos N, Ekesi S. Edible Crickets (Orthoptera) Around the World: Distribution, Nutritional Value, and Other Benefits-A Review. Front Nutr. 2021 Jan 12;7:537915. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.537915. PMID: 33511150; PMCID: PMC7835793.
- Natteewan Udomsil, Sumeth Imsoonthornruksa, Chotika Gosalawit, Mariena Ketudat-Cairns, Nutritional Values and Functional Properties of House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) and Field Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus), Food Science and Technology Research, 2019, Volume 25, Issue 4, Pages 597-605, Released on J-STAGE September 26, 2019, Online ISSN 1881-3984, Print ISSN 1344-6606, https://doi.org/10.3136/fstr.25.597
- Quinteros MF, Martínez J, Barrionuevo A, Rojas M, Carrillo W. Functional, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cricket Protein Concentrate (Gryllus assimilis). Biology (Basel). 2022 May 20;11(5):776. doi: 10.3390/biology11050776. PMID: 35625504; PMCID: PMC9138711.
Indigo
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
@Tyler Tafelsky [There's no "reply button" under your last response to me, so I'm writing this as a new comment - but it's to respond to your questions to me.]
I will reply to your response line by line in order...
I stated the obvious because it seemed necessary to point out (for you or anyone else reading this who may be confused). Also, things can be edited after a comment or reply is made, so I find it's always a good idea to be clear in any response. I will be repeating more statements in this reply that may also be obvious. Just to be clear for anyone reading this.
Bear with me...
VEGAN PROTEIN POWDER REVIEW is your banner. [Someone has also obviously paid for the domain name with the .reviews extension (a new TLD I was unaware of until now 🤪).] The home page for this site has a title of "Find The Best Vegan Protein Powder" ... you then welcome people to your "blog" where you'll "explore the best vegan protein powder products."
All of that suggests to any reader that the products that will be reviewed on this site (or in this "blog") are, or will be vegan.
Unfortunately, the term "vegan," as well as the term "plant-based," has been misused and misinterpreted by many people and companies. But these terms do have well described definitions by those who coined the terms. Readers visiting this site have the expectation that the author has a clear understanding of what is vegan and what is not. Just by having this entire specific site instead of just posting a blog on another type of site meant for blogs, suggests some sort of legitimacy and authority to anyone visiting here.
John asked you why this is even in a vegan protein powder review. Your response was to state that you never stated that it was vegan, but that you thought it was interesting to you that it may require less water to produce, thus possibly making it more sustainable [it's not, BTW]. A person who states that they are vegan purely for sustainable reasons is not necessarily truly vegan (as per the true definition). And, just to be clear, being "vegan" is not a "diet" but a complete lifestyle. [I do wish society would come up with a term for people who only eat "vegan" food, but who are otherwise non-vegan. Some have suggested, and even use the term "plant-based," but that term has also been twisted from its original definition - so it can still be confusing for many.] This specific review you've written here on cricket protein powder seems to belong in a blog that concerns itself with "sustainable" protein powders, not "vegan" ones. Thus my suggestion that you write a disclaimer at the top - at the very least.
You mention in your reply to me that there's a lot of content here (on your site) that discusses various dietary proteins. I have not delved into the rest of your reviews (especially since I don't use any protein powders), but I can understand making comparisons when reviewing any product. Making comparisons is one thing - writing an entire article about a product that does not fall under the site's purview is misleading and just plain wrong. Not confusing for me since I know very well what is or isn't vegan, but definitely confusing to others (more on this farther down).
The fact that some people are indeed confused does make it your problem. You're the author. You're the one responsible for the information given here. Some could even accuse you of providing misinformation. I'm not confused, but it's plain that you are confusing those who lack the knowledge - which would be easily remedied by a disclaimer at the top. Even though you think you're being "transparent enough" - you're not. At least not with this specific review. In your response to me you claim you're not trying to deny anything, but you clearly replied to John that you "never said it was vegan." That's a denial. The entire reason I mentioned the site's "obvious" name is because of that expectation I already addressed. So, even though you never stated outright that this cricket protein is vegan, it is more than implied just by being on this very specifically named site.
No one asked you to "dumb it down" for the "general public." It's about staying true to the title name of this site.
Suggesting alternatives is within your prerogative (I guess), but then you should [again] write a disclaimer stating that this is indeed an alternative and not a vegan product at all. Although, my own opinion is that if you do that (include non-vegan alternatives like n this site), you might as well start a different protein powder review site that does not have "vegan" in its title. If your target audience includes people who are not "strict vegans," then - again - the site's name is incorrect.
BTW, a person is either vegan or they're not. The term "vegetarian" has been so twisted that society now differentiates between "strict" vegetarians and those not so. The term "vegan" is not open to interpretation. Even if a person states that they are vegan for sustainability, or for other environmental reasons, or for their health, or (more accurately) for ethics, the bottom line is that they strive to live by the true definition (given here: https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/definition-veganism). There is no "cheating" in being vegan. If a person feels they are "cheating," then they should describe themselves as trying to be vegan, not as actually being vegan. And I'm not stating this because I'm a hardass or anything like that, it's just the definition. Society has watered down almost every descriptor out there by allowing these non "strict" views and practices for almost everything. As in religions and other spiritual beliefs, or as in other lifestyles, and ethics, and other important issues. As in politics (example: people confuse nationalism and patriotism). As in terms that companies use to describe their products (foods and non-foods alike). There are terms used that are completely meaningless now, yet many people believe that there's still a significant meaning to them (example: "natural") - and the "general public" that you refer to can be very easily deceived. Among vegans, a "strict" vegan is a person who is not only vegan, but one who abstains from things like the Impossible burger, or all products that contain ingredients such as palm oil (just examples). [I'll admit that the term "strict" here is somewhat open to interpretation as well.]
And yes, this nonsense has to be explained. If you're confused by that, here's an actual and real example: https://x.com/gnordlan/status/1771802653082730780?s=46&t=QsLmPLEpmEI0y1oQOUFvTg
and within the same thread:
https://x.com/illucidz/status/1771915901752750287?s=46&t=QsLmPLEpmEI0y1oQOUFvTg
Your article was given as "proof" - obviously by people who are completely misinformed (by you) - that vegans are hypocrites.
This is what I meant. Is that enough elaboration? It's what brought me to this site in the first place because I didn't want to reply without informing myself first of what they were referring to.
I'm not triggered in the least. It's funny and curious that you mention being "triggered" ... I don't often see vegans being triggered. But I DO very often see anti-vegans being triggered. [The fact that anti-vegans even exist is a little mind-boggling to many.] There are some vegans who post things on their own social media accounts regarding animal cruelty or other vegan subjects ... sometimes even just an innocent vegan recipe. Anti-vegans seem to get triggered and find it necessary to attempt to debunk or counter or even attack the OP, even though they weren't involved in the post at all. The fact that you even use that term ("triggered") kinda tells me that you are indeed not vegan yourself (not saying you're anti-vegan, BTW) - and although being vegan would not necessarily be a prerequisite to writing on a site with the title this one has, it would be somewhat expected by the general public that the author is indeed vegan. So - yet again - I believe a disclaimer should be written.
I hope I've made myself clear now. Any other questions?
Tyler Tafelsky
Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Thanks for your blog post, Indigo. Maybe you should start your own?
John
Sunday 24th of March 2024
Excuse me? How is cricket powder vegan? It's completely not. Why is it even in a vegan protein powder review?
Indigo
Monday 25th of March 2024
@Tyler Tafelsky, you wrote this article under "vegan protein powder reviews" so your denial now is ridiculous.
Your "article" (advertisement) also mentions (advertises) "Plant-Based Protein Powder with Cricket."
Adding a non vegan item to a supposed vegan item makes the whole thing non-vegan.
-
You're confusing the general public too.
Vegans are now having to explain this nonsense over social media.
A major disclaimer at the very top should be added - if not removing this entire "article" from this site (preferable)
Tyler Tafelsky
Sunday 24th of March 2024
Never said it was vegan. We found it interesting that cricket protein powder requires less water to produce. So some folks who may be vegan for sustainable purposes might also find it interesting.